I’ve heard that you should push your tongue into the roof of your mouth while lifting heavy weights. What’s that all about?
Simon Bailey, Peterborough

Jason Anderson replies: This was once a common technique used by fitness professionals to increase the activation of the deep, stabilising neck muscles in people who had overused ab cradles. However, I’ve always found this method to be more of a hindrance than a help because it makes it almost impossible to blow out of your mouth, which helps to activate your abs and stabilise your trunk during exercise. I prefer to ask my clients to make themselves as ‘tall’ as possible by tucking their chin in a little and pushing the crown of their heads to the ceiling. This activates the appropriate stabilising muscles without having any effect on your breathing.